How much do registered nurses earn in South Africa? PayScale figures for 2026

Registered nurses in South Africa earn an average of R283,456 per year in 2026, according to salary data published by PayScale. The platform’s figures, drawn from 871 salary profiles and updated on July 5, 2026, show earnings rise steadily with experience and vary widely across the profession.

Overview of pay and additional compensation

PayScale reports the average annual base salary for a registered nurse (RN) in South Africa as R283,456, which the site translates to approximately R23,621 per month before deductions. Pay at the top end of the distributionaround the 90th percentilecan reach approximately R418,000 per year.

The dataset also lists other forms of compensation that can add to total earnings:

• Bonuses ranging from R10,000 to R41,000
• Profit sharing from R116 to R27,000
• Commission between R5,000 and R44,000

Overall reported total pay across the sample spans from R39,000 to R429,000 annually.

How earnings change with experience

PayScale’s figures show average total compensation rising with years in the job:

• Less than one year: R226,067 per year
• One to four years: R264,600 per year
• Five to nine years: R295,642 per year
• Ten to 19 years: R308,893 per year
• 20 years or more: R345,009 per year

Roles and settings

The PayScale data sits alongside a reminder of the varied work registered nurses perform: providing patient care, administering treatment, supporting doctors and other healthcare professionals, and working in settings such as hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centres. Responsibilities can range from routine patient care to responding to medical emergencies.

What the numbers represent

These salary figures are based on PayScale data from 871 salary profiles and should be regarded as an indication rather than a definitive measure of earnings for all registered nurses in South Africa.

PayScale: average annual base salary R283,456; data from 871 salary profiles, updated July 5, 2026.